The Digital Bits - Bill Hunt's My Two Centshttp://thedigitalbits.com
Sat, 25 May 2019 07:30:26 -0700en-gbFrom the Earth to the Moon on BD, Batman: TAS wins the Home Media Awards & Back the Bits!http://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/041519-1300
http://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/041519-1300

Also today, and this is the big news: Late on Friday we caught wind that HBO might finally be planning to release the Tom Hanks-produced miniseries From the Earth to the Moon on Blu-ray in July. The online retailer ImportCDs was showing a listing for the title as streeting on 7/16. A quick retailer search over the weekend led to more corroborating evidence: Best Buy and Barnes and Noble are both showing listings as well for the title – B&N’s sale price is $31.99, while Best Buy’s is $27.99. There are no details available yet, nor is there cover artwork, and the title has not been officially announced by HBO. But we believe it’s reasonable to assume it’s coming. [Read on here...]

There’s no word yet on mastering or aspect ratio, but our guess (based on international HD broadcasts) is that the title will be formatted for 1.78:1 displays with live action footage scanned from film in full HD and the VFX (which was finished at SD resolution) upsampled. This, if not ideal, would still be a significant improvement upon the DVD release. So fingers crossed the title is coming and we’ll post here when we know more.

And let me just say thank you to all our supporters and readers. Whether you’re new to The Bits or a longtime reader, and especially to all those of you who already support us via Back The Bits. We really appreciate each and every one of you. You guys are the best and we’re going to do everything we can to keep on keeping on as long as you want us to.

]]>billhunt@thedigitalbits.com (Bill Hunt)My Two CentsMon, 15 Apr 2019 13:04:25 -0700ACT NOW: You have just ONE WEEK left to become a Charter Subscriber of The Criterion Channelhttp://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/040219-1200
http://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/040219-1200

Attention all readers of The Digital Bits. This is just a quick announcement to remind you all that The Criterion Channel officially launches in the U.S. and Canada on Monday (4/8).

Specifically, charter subscribers (who sign up before 4/8) will pay just $9.99 for a monthly plan or $89.99 for a yearly plan, following the trial period. After 4/8, the prices will rise to $10.99 for monthly or $99.99 for yearly.

Content includes the complete Janus Films library, plus curated and original content, with special features to supplement it.

You can watch on your desktop right now, and the official app is expected to go live for download on Monday for Apple TV 4 and newer, Amazon Fire, Roku, iOS, and Android devices. [Read on here...]

Initially, streaming content will be available in HD and SD, but we’ve learned that Criterion hopes to add select 4K content in the future as well.

And if you have family members you’d like to share your access with, we’ve confirmed that you’re allowed to stream on up to four screens simultaneously with your membership.

Remember folks, a service like this is going to be competing against the likes of Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+ for your streaming dollars, but none of them are going to have classic, art house, and international content like this. As many of you know, the previous service, FilmStruck, was struck down by the corporate powers at AT&T (new owner of Time Warner) as too niche.

So this is one niche business that really needs your support. Let’s not let them down.

We’re going to be back on Monday with more reviews, as well as a new History, Legacy & Showmanship column from our own Michael Coate, celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Wachowski’s The Matrix. So be sure to check back for that.

Don’t forget, one week from today (Friday 4/8), The Criterion Channel officially launches. Be sure to sign up between now and then to secure Charter Subscriber status, which includes a lower subscription rate for as long as you maintain your membership. The Criterion Channel will be available on desktop, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, iOS, and Android devices. I’ve signed up and I can’t wait to see what they have coming. You can sign up yourself here. I’ll be sure to keep you up to date.

Finally today, we need to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of the great Agnès Varda, the legendary female pioneer of the French New Wave. She was a filmmaker of enormous talent and a human being with a wonderful sense of humor and of herself. If you know Varda’s work, you know what a loss this is. And if you don’t, you’re in for a treat. Go watch Cléo from 5 to 7 (1961), Vagabond (1985), and here other films. She’s a gem. You can read more about Varda here and here via The New York Times. She will be missed.

Speaking of that, this is obviously Black Friday Deals Week on Amazon. And it would really help our efforts here at The Bits if you would consider starting your Amazon shopping this week by clicking through one of our links first, like this one or the image link below. It really does make a difference for us, so thank you in advance for doing so.

All right, we’ve been busy here at The Bits these last couple days. Just a quick note first: Tomorrow is my birthday, so I’m not working. I turn 49, if you can believe it, which I can’t. But that’s how these things go. In any case, to make up for it, we’ve got a bunch of good stuff for you all to enjoy today. So let’s get to it...

In announcement news today, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has officially set DC’s Suicide Squad for release on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format on 12/13 (SRP $44.99, but Amazon has it discounted right now for just $29.99), along with the Suicide Squad: Extended Cut that same day on Blu-ray Combo, Blu-ray 3D Combo, and DVD (selling for $24.99, $29.99, and $17.95 on Amazon at the moment, respectively). Note that the 4K UHD package will include the theatrical cut on 4K but the Extended Cut on Blu-ray. Amazon also has a retailer exclusive version of the regular Blu-ray packaged with a Harley Quinn figurine and another with a Deadshot figure (SRP $116.99 for each of those). The Digital HD release is due on 11/15. Warner hasn’t yet announced what the special features might be on this release, and frankly it’s a puzzle what will be in the Extended Edition. Word is there were two versions of the film produced originally: Director David Ayer’s darker version and a more poppy and colorful version cut together by Trailer Park (which produced the film’s trailer campaign and probably the special features too). The final theatrical version – which was a hot mess – was apparently a strange hybrid of the two. So now we get a new Extended Cut. Not sure what to make of it. But I guess we’ll see. You can see the cover artwork for the Blu-ray versions here (click on each to pre-order)...

Warner has also made Constantine: The Complete Series available for release on Blu-ray Disc via the Warner Archive – it’s available now.

Also today, Universal Studios Home Entertainment has officially set Jason Bourne for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release on 12/6, with the Digital HD due on 11/15. Extras on all versions will include 2 behind-the-scenes featurettes (Bringing Back Bourne and The Athens Escape), 3 Bourne to Fight stunt featurettes (Bare-Knuckle Boxing, Close Quarters, and Underground Rumble), and 2 Las Vegas Showdown featurettes (Convention Chaos and Shutting Down the Strip). Here’s the cover artwork for that…

As you can see, Universal has also set Roger Corman’s Death Race 2050 for release on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on 1/17/17. The film stars Manu Bennett and Malcolm McDowell. Extras on the Blu-ray will include 3 featurettes (The Making of 2050, Cars! Cars! Cars!, and The Look of 2050).

Meanwhile, Olive Films has set Brazil (1944) and Cheers for Miss Bishop (1940) for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/6, along with Borderless (2014) on DVD only.

PBS Distribution will release the Smithsonian Channel’s Building Star Trek documentary on DVD only on 11/1.

And Lionsgate has set Southside with You for Blu-ray and DVD release on 12/13, with the Digital HD version due on 11/19.

That’s all for now. Enjoy the reviews, have a pleasant Friday, and a great weekend. And for those of you in the Southeast who might be in the path of Hurricane Matthew over the next few days, stay safe!

In release news today, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has confirmed the 10/4 Blu-ray and DVD release of AMC’s Preacher: Season One. Look for the Blu-ray to include deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, and 4 featurettes (The Unfilmable Pilot, The Stunts of Preacher, Chainsaw Fight Breakdown, and Behind the Killing Machine: Saint of Killers).

Sony has also set Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 10/4, with a Digital HD release expected on 8/30. Extras will include 4 featurettes.

Best of all, Sony has just announced the 10/4 Blu-ray release of Frank Capra’s Mr. Deeds Goes to Town: 80th Anniversary Edition, complete with DigiBook packaging, audio commentary by Frank Capra Jr., a vintage advertising gallery, the original theatrical trailer, and the Frank Capra Jr. Remembers… Mr. Deeds Goes to Town featurette.

Moving on this afternoon, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has set Vikings: Season Four, Volume One for release on Blu-ray and DVD on 10/4 as well. You’ll get exclusive extended episodes on the Blu-ray, the BD exclusive The Sons of Ragnar Interactive Piece, as well as 2 featurettes (The Transformation of Rollo and The Viking Seafaring Prowess).

Paramount and DTS have announced that they’ve been working together (and will continue to going forward) to include DTS:X audio mixes on new Blu-ray titles from the studio, among them Daddy’s Home, The Big Short, Zoolander No. 2, and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Speaking of Paramount, they’ve announced along with CBS and the Roddenberry Vault the release of Star Trek: The Original Series – The Roddenberry Vault on Blu-ray later this year, featuring all kinds of rare behind-the-scenes material from the Roddenberry Vault, much of it never seen before. The set will also include 12 classic episodes of The Original Series.

Arrow Video in the U.K. has announced the Region B Blu-ray/DVD Combo release of Joe Dante’s Matinee (1993) on 9/12. Click here for more details.

Here’s some more interesting news from director James Cameron: It seems he’s recently completed work on a new digital intermediate for the 3D re-release of Terminator 2 in theaters in October. It’s possible this could find its way to Blu-ray 3D at some point as well. More here via Variety.

I’d like to take a moment today to acknowledge the fine work being done lately by our friends over at FUNimation, who are delivering all kinds of great and rare Japanese anime titles to Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming. Anime isn’t something we talk about here at The Bits all that often, but the genre is huge, hugely popular, and hugely creative, and no one is delivering its gems on disc like FUNimation. Do check out their website here and I think you’ll see what I mean.

Finally today, I wanted to take a moment to talk about an exciting new development between The Criterion Collection and TCM Classic Movies. Together, they’re launching a new digital subscription streaming service, called FilmStruck, dedicated to making more independent, art-house, and international cinema titles and extras available to a wider audience. Criterion is also creating their own Criterion Channel streaming service, and the two will work hand-in-hand. Once The Criterion Channel is launched, it will offer digital access to Criterion’s carefully curated library of more than 1,100 films titles and extras, as well as newly created content that celebrates the cinephile love of film. Criterion’s Peter Becker explains more about this service today here in his introductory blog post. Do check it out.